My Proposal Day in Montreal Was Almost Ruined by Marriott

Planning a magical proposal, I took my girlfriend to Montreal, wishing to make her dream come true of being engaged in an unfamiliar place. After hearing high praises about the city, we decided to spend five nights at a Sonder apartment centrally located in Old Montreal.

I asked for her hand on a Sunday at Westmount Conservatory and Greenhouses. It's a truly picturesque spot with its charming library, lush greenhouses, and quaint parkland. We spent the rest of the day celebrating, strolling around the city, enjoying window shopping, and admiring the exhibits at a fine art museum. We were disconnected from our devices, enjoying our time together.

The Unexpected Eviction

It was only after a Sonder employee knocked at our door around 10 a.m. on Monday that I became aware of the Marriott-Sonder fallout. My girlfriend opened the door to hear, "I'm very sorry, but you must vacate. Your reservation is canceled."

Instinctively, I was about to argue, reminding him we had an additional night booked. He somberly responded, "I apologize for being straightforward, but I'm losing my job right now. This is my final task." Realizing his situation could be worse than mine, I let it go.

I promptly contacted Marriott to arrange another accommodation. They were able to book us into another hotel about a mile away. However, it came at an increased cost of approximately 30 Canadian dollars more, which felt like a swindle—'cancellation followed by a pricier booking.'

To compensate, Marriott offered 500 points, but the experience left me hesitant to book with them in the future. The lobby after the notice was a sight—packed with disgruntled guests, many of whom had days remaining in their trips before returning home. A number expressed they'd avoid booking with Marriott in the future.

Silver Linings

While a part of me wanted to really criticize Marriott for the ruined potential of our day, my girlfriend and I are generally resilient. Despite everything, we've enjoyed ourselves with a delightful dinner and some fine drinks, lifting our spirits.

In the end, we managed to have a good time, although not because of Marriott. Rather, it was our ability to adapt to the situation that made the difference.

Attempts to reach representatives from Marriott and Sonder by Business Insider for comments were unsuccessful. Initially, Marriott told affected customers that full refunds would be provided if they had booked Sonder properties through Marriott's channels. Later, guests were advised to seek refunds via their credit card providers.